Available May 2012

Jorinde Seijdel and Liesbeth Melis (editors.)
Guest editor: Sven Lütticken

Open 23
Autonomy
New Forms of Freedom and Independence in Art and Culture

Design: Thomas Buxó and Klaartje van Eijk, Paperback, Illustrated (colour and b/w), 176 pages, 17 x 24 cm
English edition, ISBN 978-90-5662-858-1, € 23.50
Dutch edition, ISBN 978-90-5662-857-4

In association with SKOR | Foundation for Art and Public Domain, with cooperation form the Autonomy Project

Can autonomy be a means to reinforce the public relevance of art and culture? Open 23 examines this question and discusses new forms and meanings of autonomy for artistic and cultural practice.

The modern notion of autonomy, in which the creator keeps sociopolitical reality at bay in the privacy of his workshop or studio, fell apart due to its own limitations. The current rightwing/ populist political course, both in the Netherlands and in other Western countries, is provoking resistance and calls for creative displays of responsibility and solidarity. Yet the ideological engagement that posits itself in opposition to autonomy, in this era of ‘de-ideologizing’ and neoliberalism, seems equally unsustainable. The question is whether the concept of autonomy can be reinvented, in a way that ideas like freedom, privacy, self-determination and independence can be given substance without losing contact with the social sphere.

Open is a cahier that reflects upon contemporary public space from a cultural perspective.

With contributions Hito Steyerl, Peter Osborne, Gerald Raunig, Joost de Bloois et.al.

> Pre-Order now at NAi Booksellers

> More about Open